Golf R Observations and Questions

[DDTW]

How do we know that the R wheels are made by Borbet?

Gotta ask the seller that question!

Edit: Here are some pictures from the seller.

[Ideo]

The R is remarkably adept at off roading...

Went up the north coast for a wedding, did some driving around, car is now brown rather than blue.

Bloody awesome fun. Pissed off some soft roaders too

[dave_r]

Gotta ask the seller that question!

Edit: Here are some pictures from the seller.

I've got a buckled 'spare' sitting in the garage so I'll have a look and compare. Might turn it into a bloody expensive coffee table or hose holder lol.

[DDTW]

I've got a buckled 'spare' sitting in the garage so I'll have a look and compare. Might turn it into a bloody expensive coffee table or hose holder lol.

How much did it cost you to replace it? Or did you go for aftermarket wheels?

[dave_r]

Priced up a set of Weds SA-55M's in 19" but I like the Talladega's too much so just accepted the free colonoscopy. (OEM 19's are around $1300RRP to replace)

[DDTW]

Priced up a set of Weds SA-55M's in 19" but I like the Talladega's too much so just accepted the free colonoscopy. (OEM 19's are around $1300RRP to replace)

Nice! They look like they have insane concavity!

Talladegas for $1300 each? I'd rather go forged DPEs with that amount of $$!

[LWR]

Just found these black Talladegas on eBay.

Interesting to know that the R wheels are made by Borbet...hmm....

EDIT:
A Golf R wheel configurator!
http://borbet002.mx-live.com/default.aspx

Borbet make quite a few OEM wheels just like Ronal and other German manufacturers.I saw a wheel from a Mk6 GTI Pirelli that was made by Ronal in the Czech Republic.

[REXman]

Never heard of Borbet.. sounds like a type of icecream..!?

[LWR]

They're pretty big over there.

[sillywet]

Picked up my R last Friday night so i've had the long weekend in Qld to finally drive the thing after what seemed like a never-ending wait from the date I ordered it all those months ago. Based on what i'm reading about Patricks I think i'm lucky I got it when I did!

Initial observations (for anyone who's interested):
[I]Cons[I]

- The side air-conditioner vent is so close to the wheel it just seems to freeze my right hand rather than reaching my face. That's now switched off.
- The location of the dealer fitted MDI: how long do they think my arms are?
- The engine noise under moderate acceleration (sometimes I swear they've put the GTD engine in by mistake)

Pros

- Everything else. What a bloody fantastic car. After test driving a DSG and a manual I was so close to going the DSG option just because for a quick test drive (ie thrash it as hard as you can from every single light/stop sign) the DSG seems brilliant. After a good couple weeks of deliberating however I ordered a manual and my god am I glad I did. For anyone still reading this thread and tossing up between the two, PLEASE go for another test drive in a manual and make it a long one. The involvement of the car is fantastic and it's such a light clutch and easy gearbox that even if you commute in traffic every day (i do) it won't drive you crazy. The noise it makes on over-run in 2nd when you let the revs drop to about 3000 (i think it's the BOV) makes me smile every time.

One question I do have that I couldn't find an answer to in my search is what is the K&N model number of the air filter? I have a feeling it's the 33-2888, but I can't be certain. The picture on the K&N site shows one of the corners slightly lopped off. Does this sound right to those who've pulled it out for a look? Link below:
33-2888 - K&N Replacement Filters, Replacement Air Filter

I'd love to get some exhaust work done to it, and no doubt one day I shall, but for now the warranty is far too appealing.

Thanks to everyone on this forum for their great banter. It certainly helped me pass the months of waiting (even if at times it did make it harder!!). When I was driving home for the first time on Friday night I was at Albion getting on to the ICB and behind me at the lights was another blue R. Couldn't have scripted it better! Shame I only had 35kms on the clock or I could have had a nice little thrash up the on-ramp!